DEAD SILENCE (2007)

              DEAD SILENCE is a horror film which uses the traditional plots of ghost stories which involve "VOO-DOO", "PUPPETS" etc. But still I liked the brilliance of the writer for providing a good horror movie with not much bloody gore scenes. The film stars RYAN KWANTAN in the lead.

             JAMIE ASHEN(RYAN KWANTAN) and ELLA are newly married couple who are about to start their married life in a newly rented apartment. They receive a parcel with no sender's identity. They oen it to find a Puppet/Doll. Seeing the doll, makes ELLA and JAMIE to remember the age old ghost story of their town RAVENS FAIR. The ghost myth of the town is based upon a ventriloquist named MARY SHAW. It is believed that she haunts the ones who scream seeing her in their nightmares.

             On the same day when the couple find the puppet, JAMIE returns home to find his wife being murdered. He becomes the prime suspect of investigation. The investigation is lead by DONNIE WAHLBERG (Det. LIPTON). LIPTON firmly believes that JAMIE had killed his wife and so goes out on a mission to put JAMIE behind the bars. On the other hand JAMIE seeks to find the truth about the puppet. LIPTON does not believe in the folktale of MARY SHAW and so the mouths of the citizens of RAVEN CLAW but not their hearts as they believe that "HER NAME MUST NOT BE TOLD".

             The picturisations of MARY SHAW as the ghost was good. But the crappy part of the film is near the climax where the movie looks as if they sought to finish the movie in a hurry-burry. The gore part of the movie are the dead bodies and the tougue that comes out of MARY SHAW. As all ghost stories have, this film also has a good twist in the climax. Overall the film was really good except for a few minutes of crappy screenplay near the end.

           Both RYAN KWANTAN and DONNIE WAHLBERG suited their roles and did s great work in the film. The atmosphere in the movie suited the plot very good and also the dull color effect throughout the movie was good. I loved the climax  and the way the story was built and portrayed. After a long a good horror movie to watch.

MY RATING - 6.6/10

ENTRAPMENT(1999)

The film starring SEAN CONNERY and CATHERINE ZETA JONES was released in the year 1999. It premiered alongside of many great films such as FIGHT CLUB, AMERICAN BEAUTY, THE MATRIX- the summer blockbuster of the year and failed to be in the first league.

Due to the incident of an highly protected Art theft, Catherine Zeta Jones(Virginia Baker), an insurance agent goes undercover to join the league of an aging Master Art thief, Frank MacDougal (Connery). The plot then goes very intriguing as both the parties try to con each other. The way they con each other is expertly depicted. It is the only thing in the film that keeps you at the edge of the seat.

The direction of the scenes in which the duo train were superb and also the stunts performed in the film was very good and directed really well. The screenplay could have been made more intriguing. The sequence where they prepare to overcome the laser protection to steal to the mask and also the finale of their theft were excellently acted and portrayed. Although the chemistry was good between the two, their love affair scenes could have been given less attraction.

Finally the plot hangs on to find who conned whom and who succeeded. Sir Sean Connery performed the role with its utmost perfection. The way he delivered the dialogues were so perfect and kept me really interested in the conversations. With his experience in the industry, it looked as if he did the role effortlessly where as the rest of the crew could have put in a lot of effort.

My favourite quote:
Cathy: I said this is called entrapment.
Connery: No, actually it's called blackmail. Entrapment is what cops do to thieves.


The verdict is the movie is worth to watch it once at the least for the performance of Sir Sean Connery.

My Rating - 6.2/10.

American History X (1998)

Director: Tony Kaye

Writer: David McKenna

Stars: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong and Beverly D'Angelo

My Review:

            American History X is one the best films I have ever seen. I would rate it the 2^nd best film of 1998 with only Roberto Benigini’s “Life is Beautiful above it of all the films that were released in that year. The film portrayed the life of Derek Vinyard, a racist and the leader of a gang of skinhead. Derek is arrested for murdering three men and is paroled after 3 years. Danny Vinyard, the younger brother of Derek is strongly influenced by his brother’s behavior. The life of Derek is brought to us through the words of Danny in his work called American History X.

            Edward Norton gave a great performance in the lead as Derek Vinyard. This performance fetched him an Oscar nomination for the Best Actor in the lead role. In this Oscar race, he was beaten by Roberto Benigini. I would rate this performance as the second best performance of the five that were nominated and the best was eventually crowned.  The role of Danny Vinyard was portrayed by Edward Furlong, who played the famous role of John Connor in The Terminator series. Furlong was the best pick for that role. The debutant director Tony Kaye directed only this feature film so far in his career apart from a number of documentaries. I personally believe the movie lovers have missed Tony Kaye for the past 12 years.

My Review: 8.8/10

Crank (2006)

Directors: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor

Writers: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor

Stars: Jason Statham, Amy Smart and Carlos Sanz

My Review:

                Crank is a cent percent pure action film. This film stars Jason Statham as Chev Chelios who is a professional assassin. Chelios is injected with a poison by the villain Verona which is going to kill him in hours. Chelios comes to know of this and urges the issue to his doc friend Miles. Miles asks Chelios to keep his adrenaline in an upper level to survive. Chelios with the help of his girlfriend Eve tries to stay alive and seeks Verona at the same time to kill him.

                Action in this film takes the vantage point. Every minute you can hope for a fight scene to come out of nowhere. Jason Statham who is known for his performances in Lock Stock and Two Smokin Barrels, Transporter series and The Bank Job has given action pumped performance in this film. The stunts and the climax of the film were the best parts of the film. The MPAA has given the rating R for the film for Sexuality, Nudity and Drug use. The film was a blockbuster hit in America and is rated above 7/10 in IMDB which is quite a feat for an action film.

My Rating: 7.2/10

Conviction (2010)

Director: Tony Goldwyn

Writer: Pamela Gray

Stars: Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher

My Review:

                Conviction is a film based on a true story directed by Tony Goldwyn. Kenneth Waters (Sam Rockwell) is arrested and convicted for murder in the first degree and sentenced for life. Betty-Ann Waters (Hilary Swank), the little sister of Kenny and a mother of two, is not giving up on her brother and firmly believes that her brother is innocent. Betty-Ann decides to pursue law to become the Attorney of her brother. This film is all about the obstacles Betty-Ann faces in pursuing her penance of 18 years. Was her penance fruitful or a waste of life and career? Watch the movie to get the answer.

                Hilary Swank, the two time academy award winner was tailor made for the role. Whether it was a Mother, a Sister or an Attorney, she was impeccable and flawless. I loved every bits and pieces of her acting in this film. This film adds another feather on her cap.  Sam Rockwell was also good for his role of Kenny. He was great at scenes of his protest in the jail. Pamela Gray wrote the story very well. The way she described the characters was really good. The way the screenplay was adapted for the movie was great. Chipping in the clips from the past at right moments added spices and decorations to a beautifully served dish.

                Tony Goldwyn has directed this film to perfection. Paul Cantelon’s music was also good throughout the film. Especially the BGM when the credits roll off and the one before it were great. So Folks Conviction is one hell of a movie to watch and do not miss it. Feel the love for/of brothers and sisters, in fact it the only relation that last longer than any other. I being a little brother loved this film very much.

My Rating: 8/10

The Hitcher (2007)

Director: Dave Meyers

Writers: Eric Red (screenplay), Jake Wade Wall (screenplay)

Stars: Sean Bean, Sophia Bush and Zachary Knighton

My Review:

                The Hitcher is a horror film released in the year 2007 starring Sean Bean and Sophia Bush. The plot of the film is how the Hitchhiker John Ryder (Sean Bean) hunts the young couple Grace Andrews (Sophia Bush) and Jim Halsey (Knighton) when travel through the New Mexico on a rainy night.

                Sean Bean who is known for his performances in Lord of the Rings and Golden Eye, played the lead role of the Hitchhiker John Ryder. He gave a good performance. Sophia Bush known for her role as Brook Davis in the series One Tree Hill, was also good for her role.  The story was average but the screenplay was good. The incidents that happen near the climax are the best.

My Rating: 5.4/10

Flightplan (2005)

Director: Robert Schwentke

Writers: Peter A. Dowling, Billy Ray

Stars: Jodie Foster, Peter Sarsgaard and Sean Bean

My Review:

            Flightplan starring Jodie Foster in the lead was released in the year 2005. This film is a fast paced thriller in Hitchcock style. Kate Pratt (Foster) who lost her husband recently is flying home her husband's coffin from Berlin along with her daughter Julia. After three hours of sleep in the journey, Pratt wakes up to find that her daughter is lost. She queries the flight Attendants about her daughter who inform her that Julia did not travel with her. Then Pratt takes the matter in her own hands and searches throughout the flight.

            The best scenes of the film were when the villain is identified and the events that take place after that. I like the plot of the film very much. The film's success in the Box Office was hampered by the release of great Blockbuster films like Batman Begins, Sin City, Harry Potter and Others. Year 2005 was one of the golden years for the film industry and this film though well written was just good enough to have survived the year as a hit. Foster and Sarsgaard gave good performances.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Recommendation: Watch it!!! You will not be Disappointed.

At Close Range (1986)

Director: James Foley

Writers: Elliott Lewitt (story), Nicholas Kazan (story)

Stars: Sean Penn, Christopher Walken and Mary Stuart Masterson

My Review:

                At close range is a film based on the real life incidents of a Pennsylvanian crime family which existed in 1960s and 1970s. Aliases were used in the film for real life Characters by Nicholas Kazan and the film was released in the year 1986. Brad Whitewood, Sr. is the leader of a organised crime family consisting of his Brothers and friends. Brad Whitewood, Jr., who was brought up by his mother, with his friends seeks to join the mid-atlantic gang of his estranged father, unaware of his character that he has no concerns for his family . Sean Penn and Christopher Walken played the roles of Brad Whitewood, Jr. and Brad Whitewood, Sr. respectively.

                Nicholas Kazan has beautifully edited the real life incidents into a movie.  The flow of story from scene to scene was excellent. James Foley has directed the film well such that the impact of the movie never leaves from the mind of the viewer.  Sean Penn's performance was at its best at all occasions. At that very young age, Penn was gifted enough to give a riveting performance in this role. Millie Perkins who played the role of Julie, lover of Penn was also good.

                The best scenes of the film comes at the end, one of the most unexpected ends in a real life, where Whitewood, Jr. confronts a situation that no man in this earth would have suffered. The touching climax of the film is the one that makes the film worth remembering even after years of watching the movie. So be a witness to a great performance from one of the best working actors in the industry even before he got recognized in the industry.

My Rating: 7.5/10

Recommendation: Watch it to see one of best real life incidents which is not an Inspirational one...

Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious (1946)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Writer: Ben Hecht

Stars: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains

My Review:

            The film Notorious released in the year 1946 is one best films of Alfred Hitchcock. Although its not a typical Hitchcock film, the movie was well written and directed. Alfred Hitchcock was one of the legendary directors of Hollywood whose mastery was directing Crime-suspense-drama films. This film starred Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman in the leads which was another pl;us point for the film as they were at the peak of their career. Thus the deadly combo of Hitchcock with Grant and Bergman turned out to be a blockbuster. The presence of Claude Rains in the villain role gave a meteoric boost to the success of the film.

            The film was well written by Ben Hecht. The story of the film happens right after the world war II where Cary Grant plays the role of T.R.Devlin, a detective whose assignment is to bring down a group of German Expatiates living in Rio-de-Janerio. The group was suspected to have smuggled huge amounts of raw Uranium. Ingrid Bergman plays the role of Alicia Huberman, a beautiful young woman who is a daughter of a convicted German expatriate. Her father was found to be a German spy and hence he was convicted. Devlin uses Miss Huberman as a spy to bring down the group of German Expatriates led by Alexander Sebastian(Claude Rains).

            The film has a wonderful chemistry between Bergman and Grant. As the film was taken in 1946, the romantic scenes don't go beyond a close-up scene of kissing. But still it was very effectively utilised by Hitchcock. The film has many great scenes which stood as pillars of success for the film.

            As for as the acting considered, Both Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman gave their best. They had their own best scenes in the film. Claude Rains who played the role of the complex character Alexander Sebastian, was the pick of the pick of the actors to have performed at best. Sebastian was a man with  evil intentions and a Heart to love someone. The role was perfectly executed by Rains. Claude Rains was nominated for an Oscar for his performance. Ben Hecht was also nominated for Oscars. So overall, this is one of the best films of that decade, please don't miss it.

My Rating: 8.4/10

Recommendation: Must Watch it and I bet you will become either Hitchcock fan or Claude Rains fan or both.

Unthinkable(2010)

Director: Gregor Jordan

Writer:Peter Woodward

Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, Carrie-Anne Moss and Michael Sheen

My Review:

         This Thriller from Gregor Jordan is an appeal to the audience  "Should the Human Torture be legalised?". Henry 'H' Humphries(Samuel L. Jackson) is an Black Ops interrogator and an extortionist. Helen Brody(Ann-Moss) is an FBI Agent who works in the Anti-Terrorist Dept. The film starts with a video being sent to the FBI saying that a man named Steven Arthur Younger(A muslim convert from U.S) has kept 3 Nuclear Bombs in the country. Younger, from an Islamic origin is a citizen of USA and an ex-military operative. He is arrested and in order to make him elicit the locations of the bombs from him, H and Agent Brody are appointed and are taken to a High security secret base of U.S military. Now in order to get the information about the bombs, Should H do the Unthinkable? Will Agent Brody stop him from doing so? is the film.

      The film has been beautifully potrayed with the viewers look into the film from eyes of Agent Brody. Gregor Jordan has finally delivered a quality film at the big screen. Samuel L. Jacksom as H has dominated the film and has given a powerpacked performance. Matin sheen(Younger) and Ann-Moss have also delivered to the mark. The screenplay adapted in the film was excellent and the climax was good.

My Rating: 7.5/10

 Recommendation: Watch it...

Winter's Bone(2010)

Director: Debra Granik

Writers: Debra Granik (screenplay), Anne Rosellini (screenplay)

Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes and Garret Dillahunt

My Review:

The basic plot of the film is the struggle of a 17 year old ozark mountain girl, Ree Dolly(Jennifer Lawrence) in saving her family from being homeless. Her father, a known Drug Trader who has gone AWOL from his family a few weeks ago. The situation goes south when Local sheriff meets Ree to inform her that her house has been kept as a collateral for her dad's bail. The house would be taken from her family if her father doesn't show up for his trial or the proof of his death is provided before it. Thus Ree sets off a journey to find her father but her uncle Teardrop(John Hawkes) asks her to step off it as the path would be very dangerous. Ree gets into many troubles in order to save her family. Does she find her father?? Was she able to save her family?? is the rest of the show.The film is slow paced, dragging thriller drama and Jennifer Lawrence has surpassed expectations by a mile. The last few minutes of the film is speechless. She gave a riveting performance along with a good performance from john Hawkes. The film is very good to watch with the family as it has the tender elements like leading the famil at a very young age, bondage between the brothers and sisters, Concerns for brother's daughter etc. The film is Great, the story and screenplay were awesome and acting was the best. She is good competitor for Natalie Portman to win OSCAR although portman has the edge. For me this would remain one of the best performances in the lead by an actress for many years. I am now a Jennifer Lawrence fan.

My Rating: 8.6/10

Recommendation: Must watch it. Enjoy the film with your family.

Animal Kingdom(2010)

Director:David Michôd

Writer: David Michôd (screenplay)

Stars: James Frecheville, Guy Pearce and Joel Edgerton

Plot:

Tells the story of seventeen year-old J (Josh) as he navigates his survival amongst an explosive criminal family and the detective who thinks he can save him.

My Review:

This is a crime-drama centered around Josh Cody(James Frecheville) who after the loss of his mother, has to live with his mother's family whom he had not seen for many years. His uncles who are well known Armed Robbers are being surveilled by the cops. How drastically does the life of a young boy changes due to his relatives is beautifully explained in this film. Det. Leckie(Guy Pierce) who is a veteran in solving armed robbery is brought into the case who targets the weaklink in the Animal Kingdom to capture the Lions. What happens to Josh?? What happens to his uncles?? is the film. Frecheville has given an extra-ordinary performance though he is a novice in Hollywood. I also liked the roles of Leckie and Barry. The film moves very slowly and has a good climax in the end. The screenplay was good for such a well written plot.

My Rating: 8.7/10 Recommendation: Must Watch it to understand how a single unforseen event could change your life completely.